[Sohcahtoa82]

In theory, yes. In practice, no, because the unemployment office can be slow and it can take weeks to receive your first payment. Before then, rent could be due and you still need to eat.

For most of us on HN, it's likely not a big problem. I personally have enough money stashed that I could go up to 6 months without a paycheck. But for someone making $9/hr that never has more than 2 paychecks' worth of money in their accounts, it's a disaster.